So very stuck...

TT5.9mag said
“Got the timing at 22* initial, any less and rockers start to tap.”

Not even sure what this means. Can you explain what you mean? There should be no noise from the rockers regardless of where the timing is set.

I was adjusting the distributor by retarding the timing I would start to get a tapping noise. I'm making a guess that it's the rockers, but in all honesty it could be the hydraulic lifters as well.